The Alchemist plots £4.5m expansion with three new bars

Bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist has announced a multi-million pound expansion.

The company, which is backed by Palatine Private Equity, secured three new venues in Bristol, Cardiff and Nottingham.

Representing an investment of £4.5m, the new sites will feature designs by interiors firm Macaulay Sinclair and follow The Alchemist’s distinct ‘copper-cased wonderland’ décor, including amber, coppers and reds.

The 6,500 sq ft Nottingham venue will operate over two floors in the former Hard Rock Café on King Street, opening this December 2017 following a £1.6m investment.

Next is the March 2018 launch of the 5,900 sq ft Cardiff site, the brand’s first in Wales. Housed in the former NatWest premises on St Mary Street, the venue will also receive £1.6m of investment.

Lastly, £1.3m will be ploughed into The Alchemist’s forthcoming site in Bristol. The venue will be located on Queen’s Road and span 5,200 sq ft across two floors, opening in April 2018.

Alchemist MD Simon Potts said: “We are delighted to announce the three new sites; Cardiff, Nottingham and Bristol are all fantastic cities and I believe we have secured amazing locations in each of them.

“The acquisitions will take us to 15 sites – which is a great achievement and testament to the hard work of the whole team.”

He continued: “It’s a real joy to be able to announce positive plans for our continued growth at a time when there seems to be a lot of uncertainty in the sector.

“Our guests seem to be enjoying our unique offer and I’m confident that The Alchemist brand will be a positive addition to cities wherever it goes in the future.”

Earlier this year, The Alchemist celebrated its 10th opening with a new bar in Chester.